Lou Williams

Since entering the league in 2005, Williams has built a reputation as a high-usage bench player in the mold of Jamal Crawford. After claiming the 2014-15 Sixth Man of the Year Award with the Raptors, Williams joined the cellar-dwelling Lakers on a three-year deal last summer...

The NBA's reigning Sixth Man Of The Year finds himself in not just a different situation but a different country, leaving the Raptors for the warmer weather of Los Angeles. Although he heads to a worse team overall, it can be argued that his playing time and role is more up for debate than what it was in Toronto. Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, Jordan Clarkson, and number two overall draft pick, D'Angelo Russell will be pressing their claims for minutes in the backcourt, so Williams may find it difficult to improve on his 2014-15 output. In saying that, Williams was able to accumulate nice stats in limited minutes in Toronto, averaging just 25 minutes in the 80 games he played. In those games, Williams averaged 15.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.1 blocks, and 1.9 three-pointers, shooting 40 percent from the field and 86 percent from the charity stripe. Williams' fantasy value clearly comes from his role as a scorer and three-point shooter, as well as being a knock down free-throw shooter, and he should be able to continue excelling in those areas in his new zip code. Now two seasons removed from a torn ACL, Williams has no immediate health concerns heading into his 11th NBA season.

2014-15

Williams returned from a torn ACL to play 60 games for the Hawks last season, but he didn't look like the same scoring threat off the bench that he'd been prior to the injury. The combo guard finished his ninth NBA season averaging 10.4 points, 3.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 three-pointers, and 0.8 steals in 24 minutes per game, with shooting percentages of 40 percent from the floor, 85 percent from the free-throw line, and 34 percent from beyond the arc. Traded to the Raptors in a cap-clearing deal for John Salmons, Williams will primarily back up DeMar DeRozan at the two and add more long-distance shooting to an already strong Toronto second unit. Minutes could be hard to come by in his new role, as DeRozan logs heavy court time, and the duo of Kyle Lowry and Greivis Vasquez will see most of the action at point guard, but given that DeRozan will have a shortened offseason due to his participation in the World Cup, and Lowry has had trouble staying healthy in the past, there will likely be opportunities during the season for Williams to get some run.

2013-14

Williams played starter minutes as the Hawks' sixth man in 40 games before missing half the season with a knee injury. He is a dynamic scorer when on the court, but this season's largest question mark at present. If he misses another 40 games this season, it could open the door for younger players to embrace bigger roles earlier than expected. Midway through the preseason, Williams is on pace to return to the lineup before the 2014 All-Star break.

2012-13

Despite coming off the bench last season, Williams led the 76ers in scoring at 14.9 points per game, as the team relied more on an ensemble cast than one true star. He signed a multi-year deal with his hometown Atlanta Hawks during the offseason and should continue to be used in a bench role with Jeff Teague and Devin Harris on the roster. That doesn’t necessarily mean a diminished role for Williams, who still managed to see 26.3 minutes per game last season backing up Jrue Holiday. As a starter or a sixth man, Williams should get extensive use by the Hawks for his abilities as a pure scorer, with Teague and Harris being facilitator types. Williams isn’t expected to help in many categories beyond scoring and three-point shooting, but he does those things very well and should see ample opportunity to showcase those strengths with the Hawks. Be aware that his scoring does come with a shooting percentage that has typically hovered in the low 40-percent range.

2011-12

A solid back-up point guard entering his seventh season, Williams played well last year, averaging 13.7 points and 3.4 assists per game. He's not a great shooter, but he can score if gets opportunities. Look for Williams to be in the same role as last season, possibly playing a little less due to the continued growth of Jrue Holiday.

2010-11

Evan Turner and incumbent Jrue Holiday are the likely starting backcourt barring an injury. Williams should end up serving as the primary backup point guard while also seeing some action at the two.

2009-10

Andre Millerï¿½s departure to points West means Williams inherits the Sixersï¿½ starting point guard spotï¿½ at least until rookie Jrue Holiday is ready to take on a larger role. Williams is more of a hybrid scoring guard than a natural point at this stage of his career ï¿½ and though heï¿½s entering his fifth NBA season, heï¿½ll be just 23 when the season starts ï¿½ younger than some of the rookies that were drafted in June ï¿½ so thereï¿½s still time for him to develop. And develop he must, if he hopes to hang on to a starting job. Last seasonï¿½s assist-to-turnover numbers (3.0 apg, 1.9 turnovers) wonï¿½t cut it. But as a scoring lead guard, Williams has real potential to blow up this season. Other scoring guards have done very well playing in Eddie Jordanï¿½s offenseï¿½ like a certain Mr. Arenas. If Williams develops into half the scorer Agent Zero was before his injury troubles, Philly management ï¿½ and fantasy owners ï¿½ will be thrilled.

2008-09

The 76ers re-signed Williams to a five-year deal, a clear show of confidence in the quick, slashing point-guard’s scoring and ball-handling ability. It’s unclear, however, whether they view him as the point guard of the future, or as a hybrid guard who can light it up when the team needs a lift. Williams averaged 11.5 points and 9.4 shots in 23.3 minutes per game, and the point-guard instincts aren’t there yet – he turns the ball over (3.2/1.6 A/TO) too often. Andre Miller is entrenched at the one for this season, so expect Williams to provide instant offense at the two or off the bench.

2007-08

Williams averaged just 11.1 minutes per game last season, but the team expects him to double his production this coming season in terms of scoring and playing time. If he plays well and shows marked improvement, he could steal time from Andre Miller and possibly make him expendable. Williams, who had a strong showing in the Las Vegas summer league, is worth a late look in deeper leagues.

2006-07

Williams will look to use his year of NBA experience and added maturity to gain more minutes on the court and be a contributor for the Sixers during 2006-07. He showcased some terrific offensive skills during the Rocky Mountain Revue and shows the promise to be a major contributor in the NBA in the future. Williams can play both guard positions, but will primarily at the point position for the Sixers and will split time with Ollie and Green in backing up Iverson.

2005-06

Green's season-ending injury leaves an opening for Williams to step in and contribute immediately. While he's fresh out of high school and needs to improve his shot, he could see regular minutes if he impresses in training camp.